Display carton



Jan. 25, 1966 R. T. GRlMM DISPLAY CARTON Filed March 5, 1965 INVENTOR, 05527- 7. tie/MM Arron/5K5 United States Patent Office 3,231,077 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 5, 3 ,0 r DISPLAY CARTON 7 Robert T. Grimm, Deming, N. Mex., assignor to Auburn Rubber Company, Inc, Deming, N. Mex., a corporation of New Mexico A Filed Mar. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 436,813

10 Claims. (Cl. 206-4533) The present invention relates in general to a carton for packaging of sales items so that they may be readily stored, shipped, and displayed for sale with the contents in full view.

In the packaging of items for sale, such as toys, it is conventional either to depict the item on the exterior of the container, or to provide some type of window in the container so that the purchaser can view the item or items therein. Certain items are even conventionally bagged in transparent bags, so that the items are in full view. While this is highly desirable from the viewpoint of sales exposure, it is somewhat inconvenient insofar as handling is concerned, because the plastic bags are not readily stacked. Alternative packaging of items such as toys normally employs cardboard cartons of some sort, and in many instances the items therein must be secured tothe carton as by rubber bands, or some type of tie, in order to prevent the item from shifting about in the carton during handling.

The present invention is directed to the provision of an improved carton for sales items such as toys, wherein the contained item. has a maximum exposure to the view of purchasers. Additionally, the carton hereof is particularly adapted for stacking so as to be readily shipped and stored in quantity. Furthermore, the carton of this invention does not require the use of any type of ties, or the like, to hold toys in place, for the carton itself grips the toy or toys therein to fix same in position. The carton of this invention is formed by folding of precut semirigid material such as cardboard, or the like, and

does not require the utilization of any fastening means such as glue or pins. The carton is adapted to have printing affixed thereto on transparent portions of the carton prior to folding of same about items such as toys. The carton is quite readily folded from a fiat condition to the finish-ed carton, and this folded portion is then encased in a lightweight, transparent film material 'such as cellophane. The invention is adapted to be employed in a variety of different sizes, so as to contain items such as toys of varying dimensions. Various different materials may be utilized for construction of the solid or opaque portion of the carton. However, highly desirable and advantageous results are obtained by the utilization of corrugated cardboard or chipboard for the structural portion of the carton. The display carton of the present invention is quite inexpensive, and yet provides material advantages over conventional containers, while presenting a very pleasing appearance to enhance the saleability of itemstherein and affording prospective purchasers a full view of such items. 7

Considering now the present invention in some detail, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

carton of FIGURES l and 2 showing same in partially folded condition.

The invention as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 comprises a structural unit 11 having a slanted open front and a large rear window 12. This structural member is enclosed or encased with a thin, transparent film 13 completely enveloping the unit 11, and sealed thereabout. This transparent film 13 may beformed of a lightweight cellophane, or the like, and is stretched over the unit 11 so as to assist in holding the unit together and to completely seal the interior thereof, preventing entry of dust, or the like.

The structural unit 11 is formed of a flat sheet of semirigid material such as corrugated cardboard, chipboard, or any other type of inexpensive structural material suitable for carton construction. The sheet 21 is illustrated in FIGURE 3 prior to folding into the form of the structural unit shown in FIGURE 1. The sheet 21 has a central rectangular area laterally divided into four general longitudinally-extending portions, aside from the end portions. The longitudinal portions include a rectangular top 22, back wall 23, floor 24, and front stiffening piece 26. In this embodiment, the back and floor 23 and 24 have the same dimensions, while the top 22 is about one-half as Wide as the back and floor, and the front stiffening portion 26 is somewhat less than onehalf as wide as the floor. A fold line 31 longitudinally of the sheet separates the top and back 22 and 23, and a like longitudinal fold line 32 separates the back and floor. A double-fold line 33 extends longitudinally of the sheet between the floor and front stiffening portion 26 with the width between parallel portions of this double-fold line being slightly greater than the thickness of the sheet material to accommodate folding of the front stiflening portion 26 through to lie flat upon the upper surface of the floor 24. The fold lines are preferably formed by scoring the sheet material, although with machine folding such is not necessary. v

The above-noted portions of the element 11 are adapted to be folded into mutually perpendicular relationship as between adjacent portions. Thus, the back wall 23 extends perpendicularly upward from the horizontal floor 24-, and the top portion 22 is folded into a horizontal position perpendicular to the back wall. The stiffening portion 26, however, is adapted to be folded entirely over the hour 24, so as to lie flat upon the top thereof.

At each end of the sheet 21, there are provided portions which are adapted to be folded into interlocking engagement to comprise end walls of the carton. These may be bestunderstood by'first considering an end wall portion 41 which extends from the back wall 23 with a fold line 44 therebetween, and which has the configuration ofthe end wall. This portion 41 has abottom edge ext-ending in alignment with the fold line 32 a distance equal to the width of the floor 24, and a top edge extending in alignment with the fold line 31 a distance equal to the width of the top 22. The outer extremity of this end wall portion 41 is defined by an inclined, doublefold line 42 extending between the extremities of the upper and lower edges of this end wall portion. Attached to the end wall portion 41 is a fold tab 43 having an upper edge extending perpendicularly from the double-fold line 42 a distance equal to the distance along an extension of the line to the vertical fold line 44 between the back wall and the end wall 41. The lower edge of this fold portion 43 is inclined upwardly toward the top edge thereof at the same angle to the fold line 42 as this fold line makes with the bottom edge of the end wall 41. A small projection 46 extends outwardly from the bottom edge of the fold tab 43 at a distance from the fold line equal to the width of the bottom reinforcing piece 26 of the structure. Additionally, there is provided another projection 47 extending from the outer edge of the tab 43 adjacent the top edge thereof.

In addition to the above-described projections from the end of the sheet 21, there are provided two additional extension 48 and 49 which, together, define a second end Wall identical to the end wall piece 41 but rotated 90 With the base thereof separated by the fold line 44 from the fioor 24 of the structure. The two projections 48 and 49 are formed to interlock, and as illustrated, the portion 48 extending from the top 22 of the structure, may have somewhat of an offset V-shaped upper edge with other edges being straight. The portion 48 is adapted to fit into a cut-out at the outer end of the projection 49, as described in more detail below with reference to folding of the sheet to form the rigid structure of the display carton of this invention. It will be seen from the drawing that both ends of the sheet 21 are similarly formed as mirror images of each other. Consequently, the opposite end of the sheet is not herein described in detail.

Provision is made for the structural portion of the display carton formed of the sheet 21 tolock in folded position, and to this end there are provided cuts 51 and 52 adjacent the end fold line 44 with one disposed on the back wall 23 and one on the floor 24. A further description of this portion of the invention is contained in the following description of folding of the sheet.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the sheet 21 described above is folded by turning the top, back wall and floor along the fold lines 31 and 32, so as to dispose the topan-d floor at right angles to the rear wall. In this position, the projection 48 of the top is then folded downwardly to a vertical position, and the extension 49 of the floor is folded upwardly into a vertical position so as to interlock and form an end wall of the structure. The end Wall projection 41 is then folded along the line 44 forwardly until it is abutting the interlocking end wall portions 48 and 49 on the outside thereof, and then the tab 43 is folded over this combination of projections 48 and 49 about the front edge of the projection 49 and is, in fact, folded 180 so as to lie flat against the inside of the projections 48 and 49. Prior to the folding of the tab 43 into the interior of the structure, the front strengthening piece 26 is folded upwardly onto the top of the floor 24, so that the tab 43 is then swung over the top of this front portion 26. The various portions of the sheet are dimensioned so that the lower edge of the tab 43 presses against the upper surface of the portion 26, and the tab projection 46 fits immediately behind the edge of the portion 26. Additionally, this tab projection 46 presses against the floor 24 and actually depresses the floor in the area defined by the cut 52. This then results in a locking of the tab 43 in folded position, much the same as if the tab projection 46 actually fiitted into a preformed slot. Particularly with corrugated cardboard, scoring or cutting of one skin thereof allows this area defined, for example, by the cut 52, to be somewhat crushed by the projection of the tab. In addition to the locking afforded by the aforementioned interconnection of tab projection 46 and cut portion 52 on the floor of the unit, the end projection 47 of the tab presses against the rear wall 23 as the tab is folded entirely over, and consequently this projection crushes the sheet at the cut 51 to enter the rear wall at this point and fur ther lock the tab in completely folded position. Full locking of the fold tab 43 is also possible without the cut-outs 51 and 52 as the tab projections are then forced side-ways to bear forcibly on the floor and back wall. The fold line 42 between the end wall portion 41 and tab 43 is, as above noted, formed as double-fold lines 42 with the distance therebetween being substantially equal to the thickness of the material of sheet 21 so that it is possible to readily foldthe tab about the interlocking projections 48 and 49. In FIGURE 4 of the drawing, the unit is illustrated in partially, folded position in order to clarify the sequence of folding operations.

Upon folding of the sheet in the manner described above, and after the final step of folding the end tabs 43 into locking position within the unit, there results a sturdy, interlocked carton having an open front with the floor extending farther forward than the top and a large rear window etxending substantially the entire length of the back wall. Interlocking of the end tabs with the floor and back wall prevents the unit from unfolding. Also, the front portion 26 presses upwardly on the bottom edge of the tabs 43 so as to further hold these tabs in fully folded position.

In the use of the invention it is highly desirable to form the structural unit described above with'appropriate dimensions to snugly fit sales items to be carried therein. Thus in the example of plastic toys, or the like, the vertical height of the rear wall is made no greater than the vertical height of the toy, so that insertion of the toy in the unit is accomplished by pressing it therein to be firmly gripped between top and bottom. The front piece 26 further serves to hold sales items within the structure. After insertion of display items in the carton structure of the folded sheet, the entire unit is encased in the light weight, transparent film 13. This encasement may be accomplished in conventional manner, wherein cellophane or the like is sealed about the structural portion of the display carton by conventional means. Inasmuch as the manner of applying this type of transparent coating to cartons and the like is well known in the art, no further description thereof is included herein. The original fiat condition of the sheet 21 prior to folding permits the sheet to be readily printed with any desired type of identification, artwork, or the like. Thus the in vention not only provides full viewing of items carried therein, but almost unlimited printing surface, in distinction to bagging.

The final display carton and contents may be readily handled and stored, inasmuch as the regular configuraton of the carton facilitates stacking and the structural strength of the carton resists damage by handling. With the entire front of the carton being formed only of transparent material, and with the large rear Window 12 covered only by transparent material, items placed within the carton are readily visible by prospective purchaser's, or the like. Light passes through the display carton so that full viewing of items therein is facilitated. This .is, of course, highly advantageous in the display of items for sale, wherein the purchaser normally desires to fully view the prospective purchase, and yet the seller prefers that the sales item not be physically handled. The display carton of the present invention protects the sales items without hiding or in any way limiting the full inspection thereof, short of actual physical handling of the items. Of course, it is possible for any number of items to be encased in a single display carton according to the present 'invention and, as noted above, the invention can, of

course, be formed in a wide. variety of sizes. However, the general configuration of the carton, aside from length, is considered to be highly advantageous.- A very substantial strength is imparted to the display carton by the manner of cuts and foldsthrough which the carton is formed. Multiple thickness end walls and formation of the unit from a single piece of material maximizes structural rigidity 'while minimizing costs and difficulties of assembly.

Although the present invention has been described above in connection with a single preferred embodiment thereof, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact terms of the description or details of the illustration. Reference is made to the appended claims for a precise delineation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A display carton comprising a sheet of semirigid material folded to define a floor, back wall and top in one piece, said floor having a greater Width than the top, said floor and top having end projections folded toward each other perpendicularly to floor and top and mating to form end walls, and said back wall having a projection at each end folded entirely about the folded top and fioor projections and binding against the floor and back wall to lock the container ends; and a transparent film extending entirely about said folded sheet in tension thereon and sealed together to define a closed carton interior with a transparent front for display of items within the carton.

2. A display carton as set forth in claim 1, further defined by said back wall having a large portion removed therefrom whereby said transparent film thereover defines at least one rear carton window for maximizing viewing of the carton interior.

3. A display carton as set forth in claim 1, further defined by each of the end projections of said back wall comprising a first end wall portion with an inclined outer edge defined by a fold line separating same from a large fold tab adapted to fit tightly within the carton end and having projections thereon engaging the floor and back wall in compressed relationship for locking the tab in position.

4. A sheet of semirigid material adapted to be folded into an open display carton, said sheet having a rectangular central portion longitudinally divided into at least three areas by longitudinal fold lines for defining a top, back wall, and floor, with the top area having a lesser width than the floor area, each end of the back wall portion extending to define an end wall with an inclined edge to extend between top and floor at the front thereof upon folding of the sheet, each end of the top and floor having extensions that together define a like end wall, and a locking tab extending from the inclined edge of each end wall and having sufficient extent to tightly bear against the folded back wall and floor so that upon folding of the tab one hundred and eighty degrees about the top and floor projections the tabs lock the sheet into an openfront display carton.

5. A sheet of material as set forth in claim 4, further defined by said sheet having a narrow fourth longitudinal portion adjacent said floor portion with a longitudinal fold line therebetween and adapted to be folded over the floor portion to be flat there-against.

6. A sheet of material as set forth in claim 4, further defined by the fold line between each locking tab and connected end wall comprising a pair of parallel fold lines separated a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the sheet of material.

7. A sheet of material as set forth in claim 4, further defined by said back wall area having a longitudinally extended cut-out portion comprising substantially onehalf the back wall area to define a rear window of a carton formed by folding the sheet.

8. A merchandise display carton comprising a single sheet of semirigid material adapted for folding into a 5 carton-defining structure and having a rectangular portion with parallel fold lines longitudinally thereof defining a floor area, back Wall area and narrower top area, said sheet being folded along said lines to place the top and floor in parallelism with the back wall perpendicular therebetween, an end wall portion extending from each end of the top and floor and folded perpendicularly to mate together in an end wall having an inclined front edge extending from top to floor, an end wall projection extending from each end of the back wall area and folded normal thereto outside of and against the end wall formed by said mating portions, each of said end wall projections having an inclined fold line extending thereacross between front edges of the folded top and floor and a fold tab extending therefrom for folding back between top and floor against the mating end wall portions, said fold tab having projections thereof crushing against the back wall and floor to lock the fold tab in fully folded position to hold together the folded sheet in said carton-defining structure; and a transparent film disposed in tension entirely about the carton-defining structure and sealing the interior thereof.

9. A carton as set forth in claim 8, further defined by said sheet of material comprising corrugated cardboard, and said back wall and floor having at each end thereof a rectangular cut in the inner corrugation skin in alignment with projections on said fold tabs whereby said projections crush into the floor and back wall with the tab fully folded for maximized locking together of the folded portions.

10. A carton as set forth in claim 8, further defined by the rectangular portion of said sheet also defining a narrow longitudinal portion separated from the floor area by a fold line, said portion being folded over on top of the front of the floor and beneath said fold tabs to additionally strengthen the structure at the front thereof and to further hold the fold tabs in fully folded position by upward pressure aaginst the bottom thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 126,826 4/1941 Lane.

1,687,052 10/1928 Barber 20645.33 1,790,370 1/ 1931 Earman 20645.31 1,814,561 7/1931 Krumm 229-22 2,220,110 11/ 1940 Layton 229--22 FOREIGN PATENTS 5,423/31 12/ 1932 Australia.

OTHER REFERENCES German application, Serial No. 1,097,352, 1/1961, Meyer Nellin, Kl. 81020.

5 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. 

8. A MERCHANDISE DISPLAY CARTON COMPRISING A SINGLE SHEET OF SEMIRIGID MATERIAL ADAPTED FOR FOLDING INTO A CARTON-DEFINING STRUCTURE AND HAVING A RECTANGULAR PORTION WITH PARALLEL FOLD LINES LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF DEFINING A FLOOR AREA, BACK WALL AREA AND NARROWER TOP AREA, SAID SHEET BEING FOLDED ALONG SAID LINES TO PLACE THE TOP AND FLOOR IN PARALLELISM WITH THE BACK WALL PERPENDICULAR THEREBETWEEN, AN END WALL PORTION EXTENDING FROM EACH END OF THE TOP AND FLOOR AND FOLDED PERPENDICULARLY TO MATE TOGETHER IN AN END WALL HAVING AN INCLINED FRONT EDGE EXTENDING FROM TOP TO FLOOR, AN END WALL PROJECTION EXTENDING FROM EACH END OF THE BACK WALL AREA AND FOLDED NORMAL THERETO OUTSIDE OF AND AGAINST THE END WALL FORMED BY SAID MATING PORTIONS, EACH OF SAID END WALL PROJECTIONS HAVING AN INCLINED FOLD LINE EXTENDING THEREACROSS BETWEEN FRONT EDGES OF THE FOLDED TOP AND FLOOR AND A FOLD TAB EXTENDING THEREFROM FOR FOLDING BACK BETWEEN TOP 